Galloway lifts gutsy Kings over United

Already missing key pair Bul Kuol and Xavier Cooks, the Sydney Kings lost Matthew Dellavedova before half-time but it was Jaylin Galloway who led their charge with 27 points as they replaced Melbourne United in third spot with the 97-94 win.

The Kings were back home at Qudos Bank Arena for the battle with United over third place but they were still missing Kuol (knee) and Cooks (ankle).

A third starter then joined them on the sidelines when Dellavedova left the game in the second quarter with what looked to be a concussion, but Sydney continued to have the answers.

Galloway ended up being the one to answer the call for the Kings delivering a career-best 27 points with five rebounds on the back of a phenomenal shooting performance going 10/11 from the floor and 5/5 from behind the three-point arc.

The result wasn't confirmed until United shooter Chris Goulding missed his last-ditch attempt to tie the game, sparking emotional celebrations led by Sydney coach Brian Goorjian.

It meant the Kings (15-9) leapfrogged Melbourne (15-10) into third place in the standings.

But there are serious concerns for Dellavedova after the NBA champion and four-time Olympian twice hit his head in the same incident while being guarded by Next Star Dash Daniels.

The first was an accidental blow from Daniels' hip, which caused the 35-year-old Kings star to fall and hit his head on the floor.

Dellavedova, who has a history of concussion issues, was assessed on-court and helped to the change room, and sat out the rest of the game.

Despite that, the Kings gritted their teeth and outlasted a faltering Melbourne outfit that has now lost eight of 10 games since November's FIBA international break.

Kendric Davis had another 23 points and six assists in the win for Sydney with Tim Soares adding 10 points, five boards, four blocks and three assists, Kouat Noi 10 points and four rebounds, and Shaun Bruce seven points, four assists and three boards.

Jesse Edwards stood tall for Melbourne with 23 points and eight rebounds with Goulding adding 21 points on 5/11 three-point shooting while Tyson Walker had 16 points and six assists.

Finn Delany added 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Tanner Krebs 12 points and nine boards, and Milton Doyle's struggles continued with 10 points on 3/12 shooting despite eight assists and seven rebounds.

A tight first half ended with Sydney edging 56-48 clear at the main break despite 16 points from Edwards and the loss of Dellavedova.

The playmaker scored 11 points on 4/7 shooting before he was sidelined by the collision with Daniels midway through the second period.

Sydney's lead grew to 10 points late in the third quarter and they were never headed, holding Melbourne at bay in a tense finish.

Goulding had the chance to send the game into overtime but couldn't land his difficult shot on the buzzer.

Both teams now head to Perth to be part of HoopsFest this week with the Kings first up on Thursday night against the Brisbane Bullets before United try to earn a measure of revenge on the Tasmania JackJumpers on Saturday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

SYDNEY KINGS 97 (Galloway 27, Davis 23, Dellavedova 11)

MELBOURNE UNITED 94 (Edwards 23, Goulding 21, Walker 16)

BOX SCORE